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Ultraviolet irradiation (UVI) of varied duration caused cross-linking and neutralization of polystyrene (PS) homopolymers of molar mass (

The main problems of location fingerprint are the timeliness and accuracy of location. However, the huge fingerprint database and complex location information will make the location process extremely complex and time-consuming. On the basis of introducing the basic idea of the strongest access point (AP), a location fingerprints recognition algorithm based on K-means clustering of the farthest spatial AP of Wi-Fi is proposed. This algorithm improves the traditional K-means algorithm, chooses the optimal initial clustering centres based on the idea of the longest distance in space, and optimises the fingerprint database by using the improved algorithm to complete the rough location of fingerprint position. Then, the weight coefficients of AP are introduced into the Euclidean distance of the weighted k-nearest neighbour algorithm to enhance the contribution of spatial AP and achieve accurate location of the location fingerprint algorithm. The simulation results show the effectiveness of the algorithm. The algorithm not only effectively reduces the clustering time and the number of matched fingerprints, but also reduces the computational complexity of the algorithm, and reduces the negative impact on the real-time and accuracy of the positioning system.

Cyberspace Mimicry Defense (CMD) has been widely used to achieve intrusion prevention against unknown system vulnerabilities or backdoors. The multi-ruling arbiter is a key part in CMD. This paper focuses on the problem of multi-ruling arbiter under data injection attack from the perspective of attacker and defender. We build a decentralized multi-ruling arbiter model for arbitration and introduced a standard iteration process to achieve consensus without attackers. We describe two data injection attack models for decentralized multi-ruling arbiter, namely random data injection attack and stealthy data injection attack. Further, we characterize the negative effect of the data injection attack on the performance of multi-ruling correctness. In order to mitigate the negative effect of random data injection attack, we propose a reliable multi-ruling arbitration approach based on adaptive threshold. By cutting future communication with the malicious neighbor, the decentralized multi-ruling arbiter is robust against random data injection attacks. Simulation results show that the proposed arbitration approach can effectively defend against random data injection attacks.

Staphylococcus aureus is a notorious human bacterial pathogen with considerable capacity to develop antibiotic resistance. We have observed that human infections caused by highly drug-resistant S. aureus are more prolonged, complicated, and difficult to eradicate. Here we describe a metabolic adaptation strategy used by clinical S. aureus strains that leads to resistance to the last-line antibiotic, daptomycin, and simultaneously affects host innate immunity. This response was characterized by a change in anionic membrane phospholipid composition induced by point mutations in the phospholipid biosynthesis gene, cls2, encoding cardiolipin synthase. Single cls2 point mutations were sufficient for daptomycin resistance, antibiotic treatment failure, and persistent infection. These phenotypes were mediated by enhanced cardiolipin biosynthesis, leading to increased bacterial membrane cardiolipin and reduced phosphatidylglycerol. The changes in membrane phospholipid profile led to modifications in membrane structure that impaired daptomycin penetration and membrane disruption. The cls2 point mutations also allowed S. aureus to evade neutrophil chemotaxis, mediated by the reduction in bacterial membrane phosphatidylglycerol, a previously undescribed bacterial-driven chemoattractant. Together, these data illustrate a metabolic strategy used by S. aureus to circumvent antibiotic and immune attack and provide crucial insights into membrane-based therapeutic targeting of this troublesome pathogen.

In order to solve the problem of node energy consumption in wireless sensor networks, an energy-efficient tracking cluster structure is proposed. The structure of the tracking cluster is determined by the cooperation between the auxiliary node and the cluster head node, and avoids the redundant nodes participating in the tracking. In order to balance the energy consumption of cluster head nodes, the method predict the position of target in next time by making auxiliary nodes track algorithm, then according to the prediction results, the nodes near prediction position are woken up in advance to reduce the energy consumption in the whole net. In the process of tracking, the loss recovery mechanism is adopted to solve the target loss phenomenon, and the continuous tracking of the target is completed. Finally, experiments are carried out with the improved particle filter algorithm. The simulation results show that the proposed algorithm can reduce the energy consumption of the nodes under the condition that the tracking accuracy is satisfied. Make the whole network energy consumption more balanced.

The Miyun area is located in the northwestern border of the Eastern Block of the North China Craton, where the metaultramafic rocks occur as intrusive bodies, some of which display cumulate features. The metaultramafic rock is (olivine-bearing) amphibole websterite and two generations of mineral assemblage have been identified: the magmatic mineral assemblage -consists- of clinopyroxene + orthopyroxene ± olivine ± spinel ± pyrite, whereas the subsequent metamorphic mineral assemblage comprises of hornblende + serpentine + chlorite + magnetite + zircon ± biotite ± calcite ± chromite ± calcite ± garnet. The metamorphic P-T conditions are estimated to be ~ 600–630 °C/4–6 kbar, which belongs to amphibolite facies and medium-P/T facies series. U-Pb dating of metamorphic zircon and 40Ar/39Ar dating of metamorphic hornblende indicate that the metamorphic event occurred at ~ 1.85–1.82 Ga. These data suggest that the Miyun area involved in the late Paleoproterozoic subduction-collision between the Eastern and Western Blocks, and the metamorphism possibly occurred at upper-middle crustal level with fluids.

The Trans-North China Orogen has witnessed the assembly of the Western and Eastern blocks of the North China Craton during Late Paleoproterozoic. Numerous studies have focused on the subduction/collision timing and metamorphic evolution of the Trans-North China Orogen, whereas the thermal evolution and exhumation history are still poorly understood. The Fuping and Wutai Complexes are widely exposed of middle- to high-grade metamorphic rocks, which are excellent regions to investigate the thermal evolution and exhumation history of the Trans-North China Orogen. Previous U-Pb geochronological data of metamorphic zircon and monazite suggest that the peak granulite facies metamorphism in the Fuping Complex occurred during 1.92–1.80 Ga, and peak amphibolite facies metamorphism in the northeastern part of the Wutai Complex happened at 1.85–1.82 Ga. Here we report newly obtained hornblende 40Ar/39Ar age of 1813–1806 Ma in the Fuping Complex, and biotite 40Ar/39Ar age of 1802–1786 Ma in the northeastern part of the Wutai Complex, which representing the cooling ages. Combined with previous thermochronological data, the cooling rate of 2.0–8.5 °C/Ma was obtained for the middle to southern segments of the Trans-North China Orogen, possibly suggesting a moderate to fast exhumation relative to other Proterozoic orogens.

The Paleoproterozoic Aketashitage orogenic belt lies in between the two large accretionary orogenic systems, i.e., Paleo-Asian ocean and Paleo-Tethys ocean systems, in northwest China. Previous geochronologic studies reveal widespread Paleoproterozoic orogeny-related magmatism and high-grade metamorphism in this area, determined by the U-Pb dating of zircon and monazite. In this paper, 40Ar/39Ar dating of hornblende of three representative amphibolite samples yielded cooling ages of ∼1.88–1.85 Ga. Comparison of the zircon/monazite U-Pb and hornblende 40Ar/39Ar ages suggests that these amphibolite samples record different exhumation and cooling processes. These new geochronologic data further confirm that the Aketashitage orogenic belt only records Paleoproterozoic metamorphism but no overprint of Paleozoic thermal event. It is thus inferred that the Aketashitage area might act as a continental fragment/terrane which was passively collaged onto the ambilateral Paleozoic orogens but was not involved in the Paleozoic subduction.

We report the unique phase behavior and structural transitions in thin films of a distorted network (DNW) nanostructure, which is an equilibrium phase contained in the bulk of a nearly-symmetric deuterated polystyrene-block-poly (methyl methacrylate), dPS-b-PMMA, block copolymer. The DNW is due to a broad dispersity for the PMMA block. Grazing incidence small-angle X-ray scattering, neutron reflectometry, atomic force microscopy and transmission electron microscopy techniques were used to characterize thermally-annealed dPS-b-PMMA ultrathin films with neutral boundaries at both the free surface and substrate interface. Brief thermal annealing imposed on the ultrathin films leads to perpendicular lamellae (L⊥). Upon increasing the duration of thermal annealing, the dPS-b-PMMA ultrathin films exhibit thickness dependence of phase transition kinetics and different irreversible routes of phase transition. As a result, the protracted thermal annealing of the thin films of various thicknesses produces either hexagonal arrays of perpendicular PMMA cylinders (HEX-C⊥) or disordered PMMA nanostructures (DIS). The phase transition routes and kinetics in ultrathin films suggest various possibilities to obtain diverse nanoscale patterns via thin film self-assembly.

The Wutai Complex lies in the middle part of the Trans-North China Orogen, mainly consisting of metamorphosed volcanic-sedimentary rocks (named as “Wutai Group”) and Late Archean TTG gneisses. Garnet biotite schist from the northeastern part of the Wutai Group (lower Shizui Subgroup) mainly consists of garnet porphyroblast plus biotite, staurolite, kyanite, sillimanite/fibrolite, plagioclase, quartz as well as accessory minerals including ilmenite, magnetite, hematite, apatite, monazite and zircon. Petrographic observation and mineral chemistry indicate that these metapelites underwent the sequential prograde (M1), peak (M2) and retrograde (M3) metamorphic stages. Geothermobarometry computation and phase equilibrium modelling show that the representative samples record clockwise P-T paths passing from 3–7 kbar/570–630 °C (M1) through 9–10 kbar/615–660 °C (M2P) to 6–9 kbar/655–680 °C (M2T) and finally to a speculated exhumation stage (M3), indicative of orogenic metamorphism. SRHIMP and LA-ICP-MS U-Pb dating on inherited detrital zircons yielded three age peaks of ~2.7 Ga, ~2.5 Ga and ~2.1 Ga. The youngest 207Pb/206Pb age of 2064 ± 21 Ma of detrital zircon possibly constrains the maximum depositional age of the Shizui Subgroup. SIMS and SHRIMP U-Pb dating of metamorphic monazite and zircon constrain the metamorphic age of the garnet-bearing mica schist to be 1853–1823 Ma. Combined with previous data, the Wutai Complex was demonstrated to have been involved in a prolonged subduction-collision process (1.97–1.82 Ga) between the Western and Eastern Blocks in the Paleoproterozoic.

Determination of metamorphic pressure (P) – temperature (T) conditions of metapelitic assemblages sometimes suffers from low-CaO content of garnet and/or plagioclase, thus the garnet-plagioclase-related geobarometers lose their usage under such circumstances. Therefore, calibration of garnet-plagioclase-absent geobarometers is very useful. In this paper, the biotite-muscovite geobarometer was empirically calibrated under P-T conditions of 1–12 kbar and 470–760 °C using 270 natural metapelite samples. About 86.5% of the total calibrant samples yielded similar biotite-muscovite pressure estimates to the well-calibrated garnet-Al2SiO5-plagioclase-quartz (GASP) geobarometer within error of ±1.5 kbar. The total error of the biotite-muscovite geobarometer is estimated to be less than ~±1.6 kbar. The applicability of the biotite-muscovite geobarometer has been certified through application to natural metapelite samples coupled with the Ti-in-biotite geothermometer. When garnet and/or plagioclase are absent in metapelitic assemblages such as two-mica schist / gneiss, this geobarometer may play its unique and irreplaceable role. An electronic spreadsheet (Table S3) is deposited at the journal's website for iterative application of the biotite-muscovite geobarometer in combination with the Ti-in-biotite geothermometer.

Garnet-bearing mafic granulite and amphibolite exposed as lenses, boudins, or interlayers within metasediments in the Qingshigou area, Dunhuang block, southernmost Central Asian orogenic belt, record important information for understanding the tectono-metamorphic evolution of subduction and collision zones in the southern Central Asian orogenic belt during the mid-Paleozoic. Three stages of metamorphic assemblages (M1, M2, M3) are recognized in the high- and medium-pressure mafic granulite and amphibolite. In the high-pressure mafic granulite, the prograde assemblage (M1) is represented by inclusion minerals (hornblende + plagioclase + quartz) preserved in garnet porphyroblasts; the metamorphic peak assemblage (M2) is characterized by garnet porphyroblasts and matrix minerals (garnet + clinopyroxene + plagioclase + quartz ± zircon ± titanite); and the retrograde assemblage (M3) is marked by coronitic symplectite (hornblende + plagioclase + quartz ± magnetite) rimming the garnet porphyroblasts. In the medium-pressure mafic granulite, the prograde assemblage (M1) of hornblende + plagioclase + quartz is included in the garnet porphyroblasts; the peak assemblage (M2) consists of garnet + orthopyroxene + clinopyroxene + plagioclase + quartz ± zircon ± titanite (M2) in the matrix; and the retrograde assemblage (M3) of hornblende + orthopyroxene + plagioclase + quartz (M3) surrounds the garnet porphyroblasts. In the amphibolite, the prograde assemblage (hornblende + plagioclase + quartz + ilmenite) is preserved as inclusions in garnet (M1); the peak assemblage (M2) is composed of garnet + hornblende + plagioclase + quartz ± zircon ± titanite; and the retrograde assemblage (M3), consisting of hornblende + biotite + plagioclase + quartz + epidote + magnetite, rings the garnet porphyroblasts. Geothermobarometric calculations suggest that the metamorphic pressure-temperature paths pass from 568 °C and 8.8 kbar through 607 °C and 10.6 kbar and 861 °C and 16.9 kbar and finally to 598 °C and 4.4 kbar for the high-pressure mafic granulite; from 756 °C and 9.0 kbar through 750–874 °C and 9.3–11.6 kbar to 675 °C and 4.7 kbar for the medium-pressure mafic granulite; and from 686 °C and 7.6 kbar through 715–766 °C and 10.6–11.2 kbar to 671 °C and 5.6 kbar for the amphibolite, and the paths show clockwise pressure-temperature loops typical of an orogenic process. The metamorphic peak of the high-pressure mafic granulite lies in the eclogite facies, which is indicative of a subduction zone environment. High-resolution secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) U-Pb dating of metamorphic zircon indicates that the metamorphism occurred in the Early Silurian (ca. 430 Ma) and lasted for at least 65 m.y. This study reveals a possible southward subduction history of a branch of the Paleo–Asian Ocean, the Liuyuan Ocean, from the Silurian to Late Devonian, which may be an important event in the accretionary history of the Central Asian orogenic belt.

The isothermal bulk moduli of anhydrous Mg2SiO4-ringwoodite (Rw) and Fe2SiO4-Rw, and other 4–2 oxide spinels at ambient P-T condition have been evaluated, and empirically fitted to a model as KT0 = 270.8(300) + 0.343(59)*V0 + 23.04(269)*EN-total, where KT0 is the isothermal bulk modulus in GPa, V0 the unit-cell volume in Å3 and EN-total the electronegativity total of all cations in the chemical formula. This model well reproduces all data used in its calibration, and may be used to predict the KT0 of other 4–2 oxide spinels. Combined with the generally linear volume–composition relationship of the Rw solid solutions along the join Mg2SiO4–Fe2SiO4, this model leads to a much smaller composition effect on the KT0: KT0 = 185.0(1) + 7.0(1)*XFe, where XFe is the atomic ratio Fe/(Fe + Mg). Furthermore, a bulk composition-independent compositional variation with P has been disclosed for the Rw at the P-T conditions of the lower part of the mantle transition zone (MTZ): XFe = 0.222(41) – 0.0053(19)*P, with P in GPa. The nearly ideal mixing behavior, much smaller composition effect on the bulk modulus, and significant compositional variation of the Rw in the lower part of the MTZ substantially increase the gradients of the Vs-P and Vp-P profiles to generally match those constrained by the seismic reference models PREM and AK135. If there is any global low-T anomaly at the depth of 660 km, its required magnitude is most likely not larger than 200 K.

Different magnetic phases have been identified in nanosized core/shell Prussian blue analogue (PBA) cubes, with a 250 nm Rb–Co–Fe phase (Rb0.48Co[Fe(CN)6]0.75[(H2O)6]0.25·0.34H2O) in the core coated by a 45 nm K–Ni–Cr phase (K0.36Ni[Cr(CN)6]0.74[(H2O)6]0.26·0.11H2O) on the shell. Three separate characteristic temperatures at 86, 69, and 67 K are associated with magnetic phases in the K–Ni–Cr shell. Two magnetic exchange paths are identified. One propagates along the three crystallographic axis directions. The other propagates along the [110] crystallographic direction for the associated Ni–Ni interactions, but not for Cr–Cr interactions. The severe Cr deficiency and the appearance of direct Ni–Ni exchange are used to understand the appearance of two separate transitions associated with magnetic ordering. A weak moment develops in the core at low temperature, corresponding to separate ordering of the Co–Fe PBA network.

The Miyun area is located in the western margin of the Eastern Block of the North China Craton (NCC), and granulite- to amphibolite facies tectono-metamorphic events occurred in the Precambrian. In this contribution, high-resolution secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) U-Pb dating of metamorphic zircon from garnet-pyroxene amphibolite yielded the metamorphic age of 2507 ± 4 Ma. SIMS U-Pb dating of monazite from garnet-biotite gneiss yielded the metamorphic ages of 2496 ± 16 Ma and 1834 ± 21 Ma, respectively. Furthermore, 40Ar/39Ar dating of hornblende from amphibolite yielded plateau ages of 1817 ± 41–1795 ± 19 Ma, and the biotite yielded a plateau age of 1744 ± 12 Ma. Combined with previous studies and the closure temperatures of the dating minerals, it is inferred that the Miyun area experienced a late Neoarchean granulite-facies metamorphic event occurred at ~2.50 Ga, followed by a late Paleoproterozoic amphibolite-facies metamorphic event occurred at ~1.83–1.74 Ga. These two tectono-metamorphic events are ascribed to the Precambrian orogenic-related environments.

The Dunhuang region is located to the south of the Central Asian Orogenic Belt and connecting the Tarim Craton westerly and North China Craton easterly, respectively. It is an important position for understanding the geodynamics and tectonic framework of Central Asia. However, the issue about whether it is a Phanerozoic orogen or a Precambrian block is still controversial. Magmatic arcs are the most prominent and laterally persistent structural elements of orogenic belts and used to reconstruct now-disrupted orogenic belts. This paper concerns the petrogenesis and tectonic setting of andesitic-dacitic-rhyolitic volcaniclastic rocks and dacitic porphyries in the Sanweishan area, northern Dunhuang region. Volcaniclastic rocks overlie the metasedimentary rocks by fault and dacitic porphyries intrude into the metasedimentary rocks. The calc-alkaline signature and relative enrichment of large-ion lithophile elements of volcaniclastic rocks and dacitic porphyries seemingly favor a subduction setting. Zircon U-Pb dating results reveal the deposition at 424–414 Ma for volcaniclastic rocks and emplacement at ca. 364 Ma for dacitic porphyries. The coeval granitoid plutons in the Sanweishan area show arc geochemical signature and are originated from partial melting of the subducted sediments based on the available data. Paleozoic volcanic-subvolcanic rocks and plutons in this area probably represent a magmatic arc developed on the accretionary complex, resembling the arc magmatic rocks formed in the Nankai complex, SW Japanese Island arc. Our results provide constraints on the existence of the Paleozoic magmatic arc in the northern Dunhuang region and suggest the so-called “Dunhuang block” is virtually a Phanerozoic orogen rather than a Precambrian block.

High-pressure mafic granulite and garnet amphibolite are identified as small-scale tectonic slices within pelitic or semi-pelitic gneiss in the Kalatashitage area, which is located in the western Paleozoic Dunhuang Orogenic Belt, northwestern China. These rocks retain three generations of metamorphic mineral assemblages: prograde assemblage (M1) preserved as inclusions within garnet porphyroblasts, metamorphic peak assemblage (M2) consisting of matrix minerals and garnet porphyroblasts, and retrograde assemblage (M3) mainly represented by the symplectic minerals surrounding the embayed garnet and the retrograded hornblende rimming matrix-type clinopyroxene. Metamorphic pressure and temperature (P-T) paths of high-pressure mafic granulite, amphibolite, and metapelite retrieved by thermobarometry are all clockwise, passing from 640 to 720 °C/6.2–12.6 kbar (M1) through 840–920 °C/14.6–16.2 kbar (M2) to 750–815 °C/5.5–7.9 kbar (M3) for high-pressure mafic granulite, from ~650 °C/5.7 kbar (M1) through ~750 °C/9.2 kbar (M2) to ~780 °C/8.1 kbar (M3) for amphibolite, and from ~615 °C/7.9 kbar (M1) through 730–820 °C/8.6–11.7 kbar (M2) to 675–740 °C/5.4–8.7 kbar (M3) for pelitic and semi-pelitic gneiss. Furthermore, pseudosection modeling of high-pressure mafic granulite indicates that the growth zonation of garnet porphyroblast exhibits prograde metamorphism in a P-T range of 510–800 °C/8.5–13 kbar and demonstrates peak metamorphic P-T conditions of ~850 °C/16 kbar, which are consistent with the thermobarometric estimates. The significant pressure differences in peak metamorphism observed in different rocks indicate that the rocks initially subducted to remarkably different depths and were subsequently juxtaposed at shallower crustal levels during exhumation. Sensitive high-resolution ion microprobe (SHRIMP) analysis and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) U Pb dating of metamorphic zircon indicates that the metamorphic events occurred at ca. 430–420 Ma (M2) and ca. 400–390 Ma (M3), respectively. Metamorphism was followed by the intrusion of granitic dykes at ca. 244 Ma. Moreover, the metamorphic evolution indicates that the Kalatashitage area was involved in the subduction, collision and subsequent tectonic exhumation in the Paleozoic. Combined with previous literature, it is inferred that the discrepant subduction and exhumation of high-grade metamorphic rocks is a universal phenomenon in the Paleozoic Dunhuang Orogenic Belt, supporting the ubiquitous existence of subduction-collision complexes in this orogenic belt.

As a key accessory mineral in metapelite, monazite forms in the metamorphic event and therefore, places important direct constraint on the timing of the tectono-metamorphic event. In this study, we investigate four representative metapelites from different metamorphic terranes in the central-south Trans-North China Orogen (TNCO), applying secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) U–Th–Pb dating on monazite. The dating results reveal that monazite collected from the Huashan, Luoning, Zanhuang and Wutai metamorphic complexes record the metamorphic ages of ~1.83 Ga, ~1.95 Ga, ~1.85 Ga and ~1.91 to 1.83 Ga, respectively. Combined with the literature data of metamorphic geochronology on the discrete terranes within the TNCO, it is suggested that the amalgamation between the Western and Eastern Blocks of the North China Craton along the nearly NS-trending TNCO stared as earlier as ~1.97 Ga and continued to as late as ~1.80 Ga, which was in fact a long-lived tectono-metamorphic event.

A vital problem with location fingerprinting is the considerable workload and time cost by the fingerprint location technology under the non-line-of-sight environment in the indoor. This paper proposed a fingerprint database construction algorithm which combining Latin hypercube sampling and Kriging interpolation to solve these problems. The algorithm optimizes the sample size before interpolation based on modified traditional Latin hypercube sampling which solve marginal “pessimistic” problem. Then, an improved Kriging interpolation combined with the basic loss model of signal intensity is used to establish the database. The performance of the proposed algorithm is verified by using K-nearest neighbor location. The simulation results show that the proposed algorithm not only ensures the location accuracy, but also reduces the time cost and workload about 60%, and the minimum error as low as 10 cm.

We investigated the relationship between the self-assembled morphology of poly( tert-butyl acrylate)- block-poly(6-[4-(4'-methoxyphenylazo)phenoxy]hexyl methacrylate) (P tBA- b-PAzoMA) block copolymers and their photoresponsive and fluorescence behaviors. The morphology of P tBA- b-PAzoMA copolymers was manipulated by dissolving them in mixed dimethylformamide (DMF)/hexanol solvents. When P tBA- b-PAzoMA was dissolved in DMF-rich (neutral) solvents, a favorable interaction between the DMF molecules and both blocks resulted in a random-coiled conformation. The unconfined morphology facilitated the formation of both nonassociated and head-to-head organized azobenzene mesogens, which promoted fluorescence emission. When hexanol, a P tBA-selective solvent, was added to DMF, the solvency of P tBA- b-PAzoMA worsened, leading to its assembly into micelles, with PAzoMA in the micelle core. The confinement of azobenzene moieties in the micelle core hindered their trans-to- cis photoisomerization, thereby considerably decreasing the kinetics of photoisomerization and the population of cis isomers. Additionally, a nanoconfined geometry resulted in compactly packed chromophores, causing fluorescence loss. When P tBA- b-PAzoMA was exposed to UV light, the increased number of cis isomers hampered the closely packed mesogens, resulting in a substantial enhancement of fluorescence emission. When the mole fraction of the PAzoMA block was increased, P tBA- b-PAzoMA formed clusters, causing the slow kinetics of photoisomerization and fluorescence quenching.

Use of experimentally derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) has led to the development of cell models for differentiation, drug testing and understanding disease pathogenesis. For these models to be informative, reprogrammed cell lines need to be adequately characterized and shown to preserve all of the critical characteristics of pluripotency and differentiation. Here, we report a detailed protocol for the generation of iPSCs from human fibroblasts containing mutations in COL3A1 using a Sendai virus mediated integration-free reprogramming approach. We describe how to characterize the putative iPSCs in vivo and in vitro to ensure potency and differentiation potential. As an example of how these mutations may affect cell surface and extracellular matrix (ECM) interactions, we provide protocols for the differentiation of these cells into smooth muscle cells to illustrate how different cell types may display cell autonomous differences in collagen receptors that may affect their phenotype. These cells, when applied to mechanical model systems (see Chapter 18 by Bose et al.) facilitate an assessment of stiffness and stress-strain relationships useful for understanding how extracellular matrix dysfunction and its interactions with surface proteins contribute to disease processes.

Use of experimentally derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) has led to the development of cell models for differentiation, drug testing and understanding disease pathogenesis. For these models to be informative, reprogrammed cell lines need to be adequately characterized and shown to preserve all of the critical characteristics of pluripotency and differentiation. Here, we report a detailed protocol for the generation of iPSCs from human fibroblasts containing mutations in COL3A1 using a Sendai virus mediated integration-free reprogramming approach. We describe how to characterize the putative iPSCs in vivo and in vitro to ensure potency and differentiation potential. As an example of how these mutations may affect cell surface and extracellular matrix (ECM) interactions, we provide protocols for the differentiation of these cells into smooth muscle cells to illustrate how different cell types may display cell autonomous differences in collagen receptors that may affect their phenotype. These cells, when applied to mechanical model systems (see Chapter 18 by Bose et al.) facilitate an assessment of stiffness and stress-strain relationships useful for understanding how extracellular matrix dysfunction and its interactions with surface proteins contribute to disease processes.

Garnet-bearing amphibolites and metapelites of the Luoning metamorphic terrane, Taihua metamorphic complex, southern terminal of the Palaeoproterozoic Trans-North China Orogen (TNCO), preserve different metamorphic mineral assemblages formed at three metamorphic stages in the Palaeoproterozoic. The prograde mineral assemblages (M1) comprise of hornblende + plagioclase + quartz ± biotite inclusions preserved in the garnet porphyroblasts in the amphibolites or quartz + biotite + plagioclase inclusions preserved in the garnet porphyroblasts in the metapelites. The metamorphic peak mineral assemblages (M2) are represented by the garnet porphyroblasts as well as the matrix minerals plagioclase + hornblende ± biotite + quartz in the amphibolites or quartz + biotite + plagioclase ± hornblende in the metapelites, respectively. The retrograde mineral assemblages (M3) are the worm-like, fine-grained “white-eye socket” symplectitic assemblages formed between the relict garnet porphyroblasts and the matrix minerals, consisting of plagioclase + hornblende ± biotite intergrowths in the amphibolites or plagioclase + biotite + quartz intergrowths in the metapelites, respectively. Geothermobarometric computation shows that the Luoning terrane records clockwise P – T trajectories including near isothermal decompression (ITD) processes, from 630–790 °C/5.3–8.9 kbar through 720–820 °C/8.9–10.7 kbar to 690–740 °C/7.1–7.7 kbar. SIMS U–Pb dating of zircons separated from the amphibolites and metapelites presents that the age of the protolith of the amphibolites is ∼2.32 Ga and the metamorphism occurred during 1.97–1.94 Ga, suggesting that the subduction–collision and the subsequent exhumation occurred in the late Palaeoproterozoic. Combined with the literature data of the different discrete terranes within the Trans-North China Orogen, it is further deciphered that the tectono-metamorphic event of the Trans-North China Orogen started as early as 1.97 Ga and lasted as late as 1.80 Ga, suggesting that the tectono-metamorphic event of the orogen is a long and complex history.

Symplectites form during post-orogenic fast uplift processes in orogenic belts, and retrograde Symplectic assemblages mainly consist of plagioclase + quartz ± orthopyroxene ± clinopyroxene in mafic granulites or plagioclase + hornblende + quartz ± biotite in amphibolites, usually rimming relict garnet porphyroblasts. Such Symplectic assemblages resulted from retrograde reactions between garnet and other peak-metamorphic minerals by nearly isothermal decompression (ITD), so the Symplectic mineral assemblages could not be at equilibrium with the relict garnet rims and thus the so-called “local equilibrium” between garnet rims and the Symplectic assemblages does not exist. Thus, the P-T conditions of the Symplectic assemblages are best determined using only the Symplectic mineral compositions. This is best accomplished using garnet-free thermobarometers, i.e., two-pyroxene or hornblendeplagioclase thermometer in combination with the hornblende-plagioclase-quartz or applying the clinopyroxeneplagioclase-quartz geobarometer to minerals within the symplectites. Taking two mafic granulite samples and two amphibolite samples as examples, reasonable ITD P-T paths from the metamorphic peaks to retrogression stages have been derived, but P-T paths obtained using the relict garnet rims and the Symplectic minerals gave anomalous results. These examples demonstrate that the P-T conditions of the retrograde Symplectic assemblages cannot be estimated using chemical compositions of the decomposed, relict garnet rims in this case.

In the present study, the Ti-in-biotite geothermometer was revised using more than 300 natural rutile- or ilmenite-bearing metapelites collected worldwide. The formulation was empirically calibrated as \\( \\ln [T\\,(^\\circ {\\text{C}})] = 6.313 + 0.224\\ln (X_{\\text{Ti}} ) - 0.288\\ln (X_{\\text{Fe}} ) - 0.449\\ln (X_{\\text{Mg}} ) + 0.15P\\,({\\text{GPa}}) \\) , with \\( X_{j} = {{j}}/({\\text{Fe}} + {\\text{Mg}} + {\\text{Al}}^{\\text{VI}} + {\\text{Ti}}) \\) in biotite, assuming ferric iron content of 11.6 mol% of the total iron in biotite. This thermometer is consistent with the well-calibrated garnet-biotite thermometer within error of ±50 °C for most of the calibrant samples and can successfully distinguish systematic temperature changes of different metamorphic zones in both prograde and inverted metamorphic terranes as well as thermal contact aureoles. Thus, the thermometer truthfully reflects real geologic conditions and can be applied to TiO2-saturated metapelites metamorphosed at the crustal level within the calibration ranges (450-840 °C, 0.1-1.9 GPa, XTi = 0.02-0.14 in biotite).

The Ti-in-muscovite geothermometer was empirically calibrated as ln[T(oC)] = 7.258 + 0.289 ln(Ti) + 0.158[Mg/(Fe + Mg)] + 0.031 ln[P(kbar)] using ilmenite- and Al2SiO5-bearing assemblages in metapelites under P–T conditions of 450–800 °C and 0.1–1.4 GPa. The calibration was conducted for muscovites containing Ti = 0.01–0.07, Fe = 0.03–0.16, Mg = 0.01–0.32 and Mg/(Fe + Mg) = 0.05–0.73, respectively, on the basis of 11 oxygen per formula unit. Such compositional range covers more than 90% natural muscovites, and the random error of this thermometer is estimated to be of ± 65 °C. The geothermometer was validated against a set of independently determined temperature conditions between different degrees in samples from different prograde, inverted and contact metamorphic terranes. Application of this thermometer beyond the calibration conditions is not encouraged.

To improve compression performance, and realize the automatic selection of compression algorithms in processing images without the prior information, the regularity relationship between compression algorithms and image features is studied, and a preprocessing scheme of block and classification based on image features has been proposed in this paper. Compression algorithms pre and post preprocessing scheme are investigated for the same 100 images. Our scheme achieves the larger peak signal to noise ratio (PSNR), which demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed preprocessing scheme of block and classification in improving compression performance and selecting suitable algorithm to process image without the prior information.

The garnet–biotite–muscovite–plagioclase (GBMP) barometer was empirically revised for P–T conditions of 1–14 kbar and 450–840 °C, using 263 metapelitic rock samples from all over the world. This barometer is based on activity models for garnet, biotite and plagioclase identical to those of the well-calibrated garnet–biotite thermometer and the garnet–aluminosilicate–plagioclase–quartz (GASP) barometer. The GBMP barometer is less temperature dependent than the GASP barometer and can be applied to either Al2SiO5-absent or Al2SiO5-bearing metapelites. The total error of the GBMP barometer is estimated to be about ±1.2 kbar on considering input temperature error and analytical errors of chemical compositions of the phases involved. The random error of the GBMP barometer is evenly distributed with respect to pressure, temperature and mineral composition. Simultaneous application of the GBMP barometer and the garnet–biotite thermometer identifies the correct stability field for Al2SiO5-bearing metapelites. Application of the GBMP barometer to metapelitic rocks within the same geological terranes or thermal contact aureoles yielded similar pressures within error. A spreadsheet for implementing the proposed GBMP geobarometer is supplied on the journal's website.

High-resolution SIMS U–Pb dating of metamorphic zircons of the TTG gneisses, gneissic granitoid and amphibolites of the Lushan terrane, Taihua metamorphic complex, suggests that the metamorphism had taken place at least as early as ~1.96–1.86 Ga. These new dates, along with reference data, demonstrate that the southern and middle terranes of the Trans-North China Orogen had been involved in the continent–continent collision between the Western Block and the Eastern Block of the North China Craton. This orogenic process started as early as 1.96 Ga and lasted as late as 1.80 Ga.

A series of wadeite solid solutions (Wdss) along the join K2ZrSi3O9 (Zr–wadeite, Zr–Wd)–K2TiSi3O9 (Ti–wadeite, Ti–Wd) was synthesized at 2 GPa and 1,200–1,400 °C for 24 h with a piston-cylinder apparatus. The chemical composition data demonstrated that Ti and Zr readily substitute for each other, and a full series of Wdss exists between the Zr–Wd and Ti–Wd end-members at the P–T conditions of our synthesizing experiments. The volume–composition relationship at ambient P–T conditions did not show any significant deviation from the Vegard’s law, indicating a nearly ideal mixing between the Zr–Wd and Ti–Wd. All the Raman peaks observed at ambient P–T conditions were linearly correlated with the composition, suggesting an almost full structural relaxation for the Wdss. These findings suggest that the complete mixing behavior along the join K2ZrSi3O9–K2TiSi3O9, as demonstrated by our high-P experiments, may extend to a much wider range of P–T conditions. Consequently, the coexistence of the Zr–Wd and Ti–Wd in the lamproites from the Leucite Hills, Wyoming, may be due to a chemical composition change of the magma rather than a crystal structural limit.

Exposed in the southernmost terminal of the Palaeoproterozoic Trans-North China Orogen (TNCO), the garnet-bearing amphibolites in the Mts. Huashan metamorphic complex preserve three generations of mineral assemblages including the prograde, peak and retrograde metamorphic stages. The prograde metamorphic stage (M1) is recognized as inclusion-type mineral assemblages (hornblende + plagioclase + quartz ± biotite ± ilmenite) preserved in the garnet porphyroblasts. The peak metamorphic assemblages (M2) are represented by the garnet porphyroblasts and matrix minerals (hornblende + plagioclase + quartz ± biotite ± ilmenite). The retrograde metamorphic assemblages (M3) are characterized by the symplectitic intergrowth minerals (hornblende + plagioclase + quartz ± orthopyroxene ± biotite ± ilmenite) rimming decomposed, relict garnet porphyroblasts, known as the “white-eye socket” reaction textures. Calculated by geothermometers and geobarometers, the P–T conditions of these three metamorphic stages are estimated to be of 5.7–6.0 kbar/660–760 °C for the prograde stage (M1), 6.6–7.7 kbar/700–820 °C for the peak stage (M2) and 4.5–6.7 kbar/720–760 °C for the retrograde stage (M3), respectively. Therefore, these three metamorphic stages define clockwise P–T paths including nearly isothermal decompression (ITD) processes. Geochronological studies of zircons from the amphibolites indicate that the protolith of the amphibolites formed at ∼2.3 Ga, and the metamorphism occurred at ∼1.87–1.85 Ga, and the metamorphic period was further deciphered to be of 1.96–1.80 Ga when considering our previous reports. It is therefore proposed that the southernmost terminal of the TNCO was also involved in the subduction and collision processes between the Eastern and Western Blocks of the North China Craton at least as early as 1.96 Ga and continued as late as 1.80 Ga, followed by rapid uplift and exhumation. The available data suggest that the Palaeoproterozoic tectono-metamorphic event of the southernmost terminal of the Trans-North China Orogen not only started earlier but also continued longer than the other terranes in the middle and northern sections elsewhere in the orogen.

The interactions between ions and phospholipids are closely associated with the structures and functions of cell membrane. Instead of conventional aqueous systems, we systematically investigated the effects of inorganic ions on the self-assembly of lecithin, a zwitterionic phosphatidylcholine, in cyclohexane. Previous studies have shown that addition of inorganic salts with specific divalent and trivalent cations can transform lecithin organosols into organogels. In this study, we focused on the effect of monovalent alkali halides. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was used to demonstrate that the binding strength of the alkali cations with the phosphate of lecithin is in the order Li+ > Na+ > K+. More importantly, the cation–phosphate interaction is affected by the paired halide anions, and the effect follows the series I– > Br– > Cl–. The salts of stronger interactions with lecithin, including LiCl, LiBr, LiI, and NaI, were found to induce cylindrical micelles sufficiently long to form organogels,...

Investigation of solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) film thickness on a mesophase graphite electrode in the lithium-ion battery is successfully demonstrated by the ex-situ small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) technique for the MGP and the FMGP anodes, after the first charge state and analyzing it precisely by the Guinier–Porod model. SANS data revealed a stable, maximum (150 nm) bi-layer SEI formed on MGP anode (in EC/DMC) at a capacity of 50 mAhg-1 and sluggish above 100 mAhg-1. The SEI formed on the FMGP with and without 3% FEC (in EC/DMC) shows the thickness of 220 nm and 245 nm, respectively, whereas the solvent contains only EC/DEC produce thin SEI of 140 nm. Our primary results make evident that SANS could be employed to better understand the complex microstructure SEI formation and its accurate thickness, on a mesophase graphite anode. Lithium diffusion phenomenon in negative electrodes for Li-ion batteries were studied by using a cold triple-axis spectrometer in-operando neutron scattering. The study on the lithium diffusion mechanism of Li+ diffusion in LiC6 , LiC12 of the MGP and the electrolyte additives (as venylene carbonate, VC) at low temperature (253K or 268K) were very importance for the lithium plating and long cycle. Therefore, SIKA is the instrument good to conduct an experiment at low temperature to understand the Li+ diffusion effect in the cell of NMC/graphite LIB at different temperature in order to give an ideal to improve the battery design and to resolve the lithium plating issue in the low temperature which regarding to the safety. From the qualitative analysis of the phase transition as a function of time and temperature, considering the (00l) peak intensities of graphite to extract the diffraction peaks corresponds to the relative fractions of LiC6 and LiC12 which in turn were related to the amount of Li diffusion through the SEI and the lithium intercalation takes place in the anode. From the spectra, we obtained the intensity of LiC6 diffraction plane is increased with increasing charging capacity yielded with the value of 2064 and 1757 mAh at 298 and 268 K, respectively. While, the intensity of graphite phase is firstly shift from 40º to 39.5º then LiC12 and LiC6 phases were observed with obvious increased intensity. The integrated intensity of LiC6, and LiC12 reflections as a function of time varies with different temperature. At initial charging condition in Fig. 1, the intensity of pure graphite plane centred at 40º is large and also observed the generation of small amount of LiCx (37.1º, LiC6 and 38.9º, LiC12) compounds. This process is observed to be reverse in the case of discharging the cell at 298 and 268 K. At 298 K, decrease in the voltage (3.99 to 2.80 V), the amount of LiC6 is slowly disappears and the amount of LiC12 is maximum, finally observed the graphitic peak with small low angle shift, which confirms the presence of small Li+ into the graphite layer/surface, in the discharge condition. In the case of discharging at 268 K, the LiC6 plane is quickly fading from 3.80 V and disappear. The ratio of capacity of the cell was 86% for 268 K compare with 298 K, which was not consistence with the quantity of LiC6 plane. We also establish the neutron diffraction analysis for the samples prepared with different additives and the results were discussed in detail. In the future, we will also pay attention to the formation of lithium plating which is highly related to the battery safety.

Amphibolites and metapelites exposed in the Zanhuang metamorphic complex situated in the south-middle section of the Trans-North China Orogen (TNCO) underwent upper-amphibolite-facies metamorphism and record clockwise P–T paths including retrograde isothermal decompression. High-resolution zircon U–Pb geochronological analyses indicate that the metamorphic peak occurred during ~ 1840–1860 Ma, which is in accordance with the ubiquitous metamorphic ages of ~ 1850 Ma retrieved by miscellaneous geochronologic methods throughout the metamorphic terranes of the northern TNCO, confirming that the south-middle section of the TNCO was involved in the amalgamation of the Eastern and Western Blocks of the North China Craton during the Palaeoproterozoic.

To constrain temporal–spatial patterns of the Kwangsian and Indosinian orogenic events and the Phanerozoic tectonic evolution of the eastern South China Block, this paper documents the zircon U–Pb geochronology of the high-grade metamorphic rocks for key outcrops in the eastern SCB and the P–T path for the Indosinian metamorphic amphibolites. Our data show that the representative amphibolites from the originally-defined Badou, Mayuan, Chencai, Zhoutan and Yunkai Groups and associated granulites yielded zircon U–Pb metamorphic ages of 428–468 Ma. The weighted mean ages of 221–246 Ma are also given by the metamorphic zircons from amphibolites and granulites in the Yunkai, Shiwandashan, northern Wuyi and southern Hunan regions. The two age groups are followed by the 40Ar/39Ar plateau ages of 406–438 Ma and 195–217 Ma for synkinematic minerals from major shear zones in the eastern South China Block, respectively. The age-spans of 406–468 Ma and 195–246 Ma roughly coincide with the formation time of the Kwangsian (396–462 Ma) and Indosinian (202–248 Ma) granites of the eastern South China Block, respectively. The strongly compressive deformation, metamorphism and granitic magmatism are roughly contemporaneous for the Kwangsian and Indosinian tectonothermal events in the eastern South China Block. They occurred over a similar spatial extent, only reaching westward to the Jiangnan–Xuefeng Domains across the Jiangshan–Shaoxing Fault. The amphibolites from Zhouyuan (SW Zhejiang Province) of the Cathaysia Block, which have the Indosinian zircon U–Pb metamorphic ages of 243–246 Ma, underwent three episodes of metamorphism (M1–M3) and yielded a near-isothermal decompression clockwise P–T path. In combination with other geological data, it is proposed that the ages of ca. 430 Ma and ca.230 Ma might be interpreted as the transformational time from the prograde- to retro-metamorphism for the Kwangsian and Indosinian events, respectively. The Kwangsian and Indosinian orogenic events occurred in a similar tectonic setting where the Cathaysia and Yangtze Blocks remained contiguous, and both involved initial crustal thickening followed by rapid exhumation and final cooling, respectively. Their occurrence can be attributed to intra-plate deformation and orogenesis without the Phanerozoic subduction of the Cathaysia Block underneath the Yangtze Block, in response to the far-field stress fields for the subduction/collision beyond the southern margin of the South China Block. Our geochronological data for the amphibolites and granulites also indicate the development of abundant Neoproterozoic (ca. 800 Ma) mafic magmatism in the Cathaysia interior.

This paper is a follow-up investigation of conjunctive reduction in two Formosan languages, Mayrinax Atayal and Southern Paiwan. We examine phenomena surrounding the two-way grammaticalization of linkers—that is, adverbialization and complementation—and show how it works to shape the sentence structure of the two languages. More specifically, it is argued that the Mayrinax linker 'i' licenses modal/evaluative construals on the complementizer layer, and control/middle construals on the lexical layer. In addition, Southern Paiwan evidences a third type of linker construals on the inflectional layer, where frequency/repetitive/locative expressions are introduced, and permutation around the linker a is allowed. All in all, our comparative study of Mayrinax and Squliq Atayal confirms that even in a language without overtly grammaticalized linkers, conjunctive reduction can still be in action, albeit in its final stage of development.

Label extraction and matching is the basis of many form-based web applications. A vision-based element-label matching approach was proposed in this paper. First, the factors which affect label matching were deeply analyzed, and then a method of reconstructing query interface by analyzing its HTML code was proposed. Finally the element-label matching was realized through consideration of tag, text semanteme and position feature. Experiments on 278 query interfaces in 8 typical domains demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of our proposed approach

The various existing garnet–orthopyroxene geobarometers calibrated based on the Al 2 O 3 or Cr 2 O 3 components in orthopyroxene buffered by coexisting garnet for mantle xenoliths, abbreviated as Al 2 O 3 -barometer and Cr 2 O 3 -barometer, respectively, have been extensively studied, to test their precision by applying them to phase equilibrium experimental data, and to evaluate their validity by applying them to natural pyrolites. The Cr 2 O 3 -barometers failed in reconstructing the experimental pressures due to imprecise description of activities of garnet and orthopyroxene end members. Several of the Al 2 O 3 -barometers showed perfect ability in reproducing the experimental pressures and successfully discerned the garnet-facies and garnet–spinel transition facies lherzolites as well as the graphite- or diamond-bearing mantle xenoliths. It is recommended that pressure and temperature estimation of mantle xenoliths may be best determined simultaneously by combining the garnet–orthopyroxene barometer and the two-pyroxene thermometer of Taylor (1998). Orthopyroxenes containing Al 2 O 3 contents of less than 0.37 wt.% should not be used in the pressure estimation in order to avoid significant P–T errors propagated from analytical errors.

We report on the observation of a large magnetic moment in 7 nm icosahedral Pb particles. This moment is 140 times stronger than that developed in 6 nm fcc Pb particles. The saturation magnetization of 7 nm icosahedral Pb particles exhibits a peak at 40 K, which is reduced by only 9% when the temperature is increased from 40 to 300 K. No sign of the occurrence of superconductivity is observed in 7 nm icosahedral Pb particles upon cooling to 1.8 K, whereas superconductivity develops below 6.6 K in 6 nm fcc Pb particles. It is the icosahedral atomic arrangement that generates the large magnetic moment and suppresses the development of superconductivity in these nanoparticles.

The unit-cell parameters of andalusite and sillimanite have been measured by high-Tpowder X-ray diffraction up to 1000°C at ambient pressure. Within the temperature range investigated, all the unit-cell parameters varied smoothly, indicating no phase transition. The volume-temperature data were fitted with a polynomial expression for the thermal expansion coefficient (αT=a0+a1T+a2T-2). yieldinga0=2.55(2) × 10–5K–1,al=0 anda2=0 for andalusite, anda0=1.40(4) × 10–5K–1a1=7.1(8) × 10–9K–2anda2=0 for sillimanite. Using the new thermal expansion data determined in the present study and compressional data from the literature, theP-Tphase relations of the kyanite-andalusite-sillimanite system were calculated thermodynamically, with the invariant point located at ∼523°C and 3.93 kbar.